Category: Article

Ideas: Tech powers new era of impact investing

Impact investing, which involves making investments to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impacts alongside financial returns, is rapidly gaining traction worldwide. In 2020, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) reported that impact investments reached about US$2.281 trillion, accounting for about 2% of global assets under management.

Solutions: Emerging technologies shaping the future of social enterprise

The global impact of social enterprises is significant and transformative. As highlighted in “The State of Social Enterprise 2024”, developed with contributions from the Schwab Foundation’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, there are about 10 million social enterprises globally, contributing US$2 trillion (RM9.4 trillion) annually to the world economy.

Azuar Zainuddin

Chief Executive Officer

Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin is an educator and entrepreneur focused on driving economic and social impact through entrepreneurship and innovation. With deep experience in capacity building and ecosystem development, he designs and delivers initiatives that empower aspiring and early-stage Malaysian entrepreneurs. Azuar is also a frequent media contributor and a sought-after speaker across the region.

He was recognised as runner-up in the Best Implementation Partner category at the 2022 Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators Awards in Mexico City. He holds a Master’s in Communications and Media Studies from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts in Design from Curtin University. Outside of work, he enjoys reading and the arts.